Spindle mountable camera system

Abstract

A spindle mountable camera system connectable to a CNC machine for work piece inspection and identification. The camera system includes a mounting stem connectable to a CNC machine tool holder. The mounting stem includes an air passage connectable to an air supply of the CNC machine. An enclosure is attached to the mounting stem and includes a camera opening. A camera module is disposed within the enclosure and an air supply line is connected between the mounting stem and the camera module. An enclosure cover is pivotably mounted to the enclosure proximate the camera opening. One or more pneumatic cylinders are connected to the air passages and extend between the enclosure and the enclosure cover to move the enclosure cover between an open position and a closed position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A spindle mountable camera system, comprising:
 a tool holder attachable to a spindle of a CNC machine; 
 a mounting stem connected to the tool holder, including an axial air passage connectable to an air supply of the CNC machine when the tool holder is attached to the spindle and a radial air passage intersecting the axial air passage; 
 an enclosure including a proximal end portion attached to the mounting stem and a distal end portion including a camera opening; 
 a camera module disposed within the distal end portion; 
 an air supply line connected between the radial air passage and the camera module to supply air from the air supply to the camera module; and 
 an enclosure cover pivotably mounted to the enclosure proximate the camera opening and moveable between an open position wherein the camera opening is uncovered and a closed position wherein the camera opening is covered. 
 
     
     
       2. The camera system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more actuators connected between the enclosure and the enclosure cover, operative to move the enclosure cover between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
       3. The camera system of  claim 1 , further comprising a laser bar code reader disposed within the distal portion adjacent the camera opening. 
     
     
       4. The camera system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more pneumatic cylinders extending between the enclosure and the enclosure cover and connected to the axial air passage, wherein the one or more pneumatic cylinders are operative to move the enclosure cover between the open position and the closed position. 
     
     
       5. The camera system of  claim 4 , further comprising an air switch interconnected between the axial air passage and the one or more pneumatic cylinders operative to selectively control an air flow to the one or more pneumatic cylinders. 
     
     
       6. A spindle mountable camera system, comprising:
 a mounting stem connectable to a CNC machine tool holder, including an axial air passage connectable to an air supply of the CNC machine when the tool holder is attached to the spindle and one or more radial air passages intersecting the axial air passage; 
 an enclosure including a proximal end portion attached to the mounting stem and a distal end portion including a camera opening; 
 a camera module disposed within the distal end portion; 
 an enclosure cover pivotably mounted to the enclosure proximate the camera opening and moveable between an open position wherein the camera opening is uncovered and a closed position wherein the camera opening is covered; and 
 one or more actuators connected between the enclosure and the enclosure cover and connected to the one or more radial air passages, wherein the one or more actuators are operative to move the enclosure cover between the open position and the closed position. 
 
     
     
       7. The camera system of  claim 6 , further comprising a laser bar code reader disposed within the distal portion adjacent the camera opening. 
     
     
       8. The camera system of  claim 6 , further comprising an air supply line connected between the one or more radial air passages and the camera module. 
     
     
       9. The camera system of  claim 6 , further comprising an air switch interconnected between the one or more radial air passages and the one or more actuators operative to selectively control an air flow to the one or more actuators. 
     
     
       10. The camera system of  claim 6 , further comprising a plurality of batteries disposed in the enclosure and connected to the camera module. 
     
     
       11. A spindle mountable camera system, comprising:
 a mounting stem connectable to a CNC machine tool holder and including an axial air passage and one or more radial air passages connectable to an air supply of the CNC machine when the tool holder is attached to a spindle of the CNC machine; 
 an enclosure including a proximal end portion attached to the mounting stem and a distal end portion including a camera opening; 
 a camera module disposed within the distal end portion; 
 an air supply line connected between the mounting stem and the camera module; 
 a laser bar code reader disposed within the distal portion adjacent the camera opening; 
 an enclosure cover pivotably mounted to the enclosure proximate the camera opening and moveable between an open position wherein the camera opening is uncovered and a closed position wherein the camera opening is covered; and 
 one or more pneumatic cylinders extending between the enclosure and the enclosure cover and connected to the one or more radial air passages, wherein the one or more pneumatic cylinders are operative to move the enclosure cover between the open position and the closed position.